Musical wagon



Feb. 11, 1930.

E. PRUNETTI' uUsIoAL WAGON Filed Jan. 25, 192p 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 11, 1930. E. PRUNETTI 1,746,278

MUSICAL wac'oii Filed Jan; 25, T926 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

B QW Patented FebQll, 1930 i PATENT OFFICE EMILIO PRUNETTI, or OAKLAND, oatironmn MUSICAL WAGON Application filed January 22, 1928. Serial no. 248,616.

The invention forming the subject matter "of this application relates to mechanical toys and particularly to musical wagons. The primary object of the invention is the i provision of a musical toy wagon which produces a different musical soundwhen the wagon is pulled forwardly and when it is pushed or pulled rearwardly; accomplished by a series of bells which are actuated by the rotating axle of the wheels of the wagon and which are arranged in such "a way that the subsequent sounding of a number of bells plays a simple tune. The two different sets of bells employed are so connected to the axles of the wagon that one set of the bells plays a certain tune when the axle is rotated in a clockwise direction, while the other set ofloells plays a different tune whentheaxie is rotatedin a contra-clockwise l direction. j i l V A further obj ect of the invention is to pro vide a mechanical figure on the wagon which is moved by the wheels so as to be brought thereby into an operative position relative m a set of bells, said'figure carrying means for striking said bells and the operation of said means being so timed that the figure strikcsonce on each revolution of the revolvingplatform on i which the figure stands,

2 0 and which in turn is rotated by the wheels of the wagon. With the above mentioned objects and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings and set forth in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that mere changes as to form, proportion, size and minor details of construction within the scope of the claims may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention. i j a j The above objects will be manifest in the following detailed description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings of the preferred form of the invention, wherein Figure 1 is a sectional view of the sound producing mechanism of the toy, showing a This object is side of the carriage and'the part of the axle broken away,

Figure 2 is device, i

Figure 3 is an enlarged detailed view of a bell, and the sound producing mechanism operated by the axle,

Figure 4: is a detailed view illustrated in a bottom plan view of the i the movement of an ornamental figure above one set of bells,

Figure 5 is an enlarged View of the figure and the rotating platform andthe sound producing hammer actuating mechanism as connected with thecam on the axle of the musical wagon, and i Figure 6 is a top plan View of Figure 5.

Referring to the accompanying drawings similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout, the various figures described above adequately illustrate my invention, and the following detailed description is commensurate with the above mentioned drawings enabling an artisan to construct and assemble the constituent parts of the same.

In carrying out my invention I make use of a wagon having a body 1 supported on a front-axle 2 and on a rear axle 3 and being moved on the wheels a secured to said axles. The axles 2 and 3 are rotatablein the wagon body 1; As the wagon is used as a toy ordinarily it will be pulled by means of a cord (not shown) secured toa front cross-member 5. One of the front Wheels is connected to the adjacent rear wheelby means of a link 6, pivotally and eccentrically secured at the opposite ends thereof to a wheel so as to be continuously maintained in a horizontal position. A disk 7 is fixedly secured to the rear axle 3, a plurality of cogs 8 protrude from one side thereof, and right angles to the disk 7. Said cogs are disposed adjacent to the outside periphery of the disk and are equally spaced from each other. A second similar disk 9 provided similarly with cogs is rotatably supported in a bracket 10 on the wagon body 1. The cogs on the disks 7 and 9 are constantly in mesh with each other. j

It is to be understood that instead of the specific construction of disks and cogs any suitable gears, such as bevel gears may be employed to transmit the rotation of the axle 3. A gear 11 is fixedly secured to the disk 9 and rotates therewith. The rotation is transmitted from the gear 11 to another gear 12.

A shaft 13 is fixedly secured to a bracket 14 on the wagon body 1 and extends vertically above a removable top 15 of said wagon body;

, A circular platform 17 has a sleeve 18. The

lower end of the sleeve 18 rests upon the top of a spacer 19 fixed on the shaft 13. The gear 12' is fixedly secured to the sleeve 18 so that the rotation of the gear 11 will cause the rotation of gear 12 which in turn will-rotate the sleeve 18 and the platform 17 The re movable top 15 has an opening 21 therein to permit the assembly and the rotation of the platform 17 therein.

At diametrically opposite points of the plat-form 17 and near the periphery thereof are fixedly secured figures 22 each illustrating a working man with a hammer 23 in the hand. Between the two figures, and fixedly secured to the shaft 13 is a conical plate 24, representng the flue ina blacksmith shop. The conical plate 24 serves to improve the appearance of the toy. It also covers up a spacer 25, which is disposed above the platform 17 and secured in place on the shaft 13 by means of a set screw 26. The platform 17 is rotatably held in place between the spacers 19 and 25. It is apparent that the spacer 25 cannot be removed until the conical plate 24 is removed thereby rendering the set screw 26 accessible. 7

It is to be noted that when the toy wagon is pulled forwardly or in the direction of the end having the cross member 5 secured thereto the wheels rotate in a clockwise direction thereby rotating the gear 12 and the platform 17 in a contra-clockwise direction, which in turn carries the figures 22 around in a circle. A bell 27 is mounted on the wagon body 1, a smaller bell 28 is secured inside of the bell 27. The hammers 23 are of different lengths so that when the platform 17 is rotated in a contra-clockwise direction when the head of one hammer reaches the bells it touches the larger bell 27 and when the other hammer is brought to the bells, it touches the smaller bell 28. While the hammers 23 are fixedly secured to arms 29 of the figures 22, the arms in turn are pivotally secured to said figureand are moved by connecting links 31 which are pivotally secured at one end to the respective arm and at the other end thereof. to a link 32 which is guided in its movement in a bearing 30 secured to the figure 22. One end of each link 32 is reduced and it is engaged by a lever arm 33. The lever arm 33 continues in a straight portion 34 as it is clearly shown in Figure 6, said straight portion being rotatable in bearings 35 which in turn are fixedly secured to the underside of the platform 17. A curved lever arm 36 forms the other end of the straight portion 34. While the lever arm 33 is substantially parallel with the underside of the platform 17 the other lever arm 36 is bent so that it extends downwardly from and at an angle to the platform 17. A spring 37 around the lower end of the link 32 bears upon the underside of the platform 17 and exerts a downward pressure upon the end of the lever-arm 33, tending to turn the same and the straight portion 34 in the bearings 35.

The downward movement of the lever arm 33 is limited by a head 38 secured to the reduced end of the link 32 so that when said reduced end is disposed in a corresponding opening in the horizontal lever-arm 33, the head 38 attached to the end thereof obviates the possibility of the. spring action pushing off the lever arm 33 from the end of the link 32. The downward movement of the link 32 is limited by the pivotal joint of the link 31 and 32 which is ordinarily too big to pass through the bearing 30. The said levers for actuating the arms 29 are symmetrical but are oppositely disposed so that each lever arm 33 extends below a figure 22 and the lever arms 36 point toward each other. It is apparent that the movement of the lever arm 36 rotates the straight portion 34 in the bearings 35, thereby raising and lowering the end of the lever arm 33, which will cause the movement of the link 32 and connecting link 31, which in turn moves the arm 29 thereby raising 0r lowering the hammer 23.

The aforesaid movement of each lever. arm 36 is effected by a lever 40 pivotally secured at an intermediate point 41, thereof to the wagon body 1. A cam 42 is fixedly secured to the axle 3 and rotates therewith. One end of the lever 40 rides upon said cam. The other end of said lever bent as at 43 so as to be adapted to coact with the curved lever arm 36. Each cam 42 is so adjusted that when the platform 17 is rotated in a contra-clockwise direction the end 43 of the lever 40 rides upon the lever arm 36 when the hammer 23 is above the respective bell 27 or 28. At the present time the pressure exerted by the cam on said lever presses the end 43 against the curved lever arm 36.

It is also apparent from Figure 6 that when the platform 17 is rotated in a contra-clock wise direction the end 43 of the lever 40 rides on the lever arm 36 moving the end thereof upwardly thereby rotating the straight portion 34 in the bearings 35 and raising the end of the lever 33 against the action of the spring 37, thus the link 32 and connecting link 31 is moved upwardly, raising the arm 29 and the hammer 23 therewith. Further rotation of the platform 17 will cause the end 43 of the lever 40 to slide off the free end of the lever arm 36 thereby instantaneously releasing the pressure thereon so that the action of the spring 37 returns the lever arms 33 and 36 to their respective original position which in turn will cause the link 32, connecting link 31 and arm 29 to lowerthe hammer 23 thereby striking the bell 27. The striking. of the bell causes a sound: The opposite lever 34 is similar-ly actuated by another lever similar to 4:0 and by another cam which isdisposed sothat the highest points of the cam are 180 apart, thereby causing the lever to actuate the hamrners 23 in succession. As the figures 22 are diametrically opposite to each other it will take 180 rotation of the platform 17 to bring a successive hammer into alignment with the respective bell 27 or 28. The sounding of the two bells will cause a musical sound on account of the harmoniously different pitch of the'smaller bell 28 and the larger bell 27 and on account of the timing of the sound, whlch time also depends on the speed with which the wagon is moved. 1 i

.A crank shaft 50 is pivotally supported in bearings 51 on the wagon body 1. At an end of the crank shaft a standard 52 extendsupwardly through the opening 21 of the cover 15. A decorative figure such as a bird 53 is. carried on the free end of the standard 52in such a position that it extends over the bell 27. A lever ispivotally securedin a bracket 55 so that one end thereof rests upon the crank shaft 50 1 whilethe other end thereof extends over the cam plates 56.

the angular position, shown infull-llnes 1n Figure a, by means of a torsion sprlng 57 i axle 3:. A cam plate 56 on the axle3 raises and lowers the end of the lever 54, when the axle .3 is rotated thereby raising or lowering the opposite end of said lever. Thus the crankshaft 50 is pressed down or released by the lever 54, according to the position of the The crankshaft is; held in pushing the crankshaft upwardly against the lever 54;. When the cam plate 56 assumes the dotted line position as shown in Figure 4 thelever 54 also assumes the dotted line position thereby turningthe crank shaft against the action of the spring 57, the crank shaft50 turns the bracket 52 thereby with drawing the bird 53 from above the bell 27. .Thelever 54: and the cam plate 56 are so i adjusted that the bird 53 is withdrawn from 1 over the bell 27 every time when a hammer is brought into alignment with said bell.

The bird 53 isreturned to above the bell 27 by the action of the torsion spring57. I

A second set of bells 60 is supported below the cover 15 and is sounded when struck by hammers 61 which are actuated by the rotation of the front axle 2 in amanner to be described presently. The handles of each of the hammers 61 are pivotally supported as ati62 and the free ends thereof ride on a sleeve 63 slidablv disposed on the axle 2. A torsionspring 64 on the body 1 engages each hammer 61 in such a manner as to cause the free end of the handle thereof to ride onthe sleeve 63. Cam prongs 65extend tan 1 gentially from the outside periphery of the sleeve 63. There is a prong 65 on the sleeve opposite to eachlever61. The ends of the handle of the hammer 61 are bent in a man ner and for a purpose to be heremafter described. The actualsliding of the sleeve 63 1 on the axle 2 is accomplished by a rotary sliding movement of the sleeve relative to the axis in which movement the sleeveis guided by a pin 66, in the axles 2 and a bayonet slot 67 at one end of the sleeve.

sliding into and out of engagement with said pin, guided by a similar pin 68 in the axle 2 moving in a bayonet slot 69 at the end of the sleeve. i i

The free end of the lever rides on the cam wise direction, thus said free end is raised by said cam prongs thereby moving the ham mer 61 around the pivot 62, and withdrawing the hammer 61 from the wall of the bell 60,

The free end of the handle of the hammer 61 is bent towards the pin 66 sothat when the axle is rotated in a clockwisedirection the curved end gradually leaves the outside periphery of the sleeve 63 and. rides upon the cam prong 65. Thls guidlng of the curved end is greatly facilitated by the fact that the cam prongs 65 form tangential continuations .30 prongs 65 when the sleeve 18 rotated in clockof the periphery of the sleeve 63. After the curved end travels to the end of the cam prong 65 it is instantaneously brought back to the original position thereof by the action of the spring 64 forcing the free end against the periphery. of thesleeve, thereby causing the hammer to strike the bell 60, thus creating a sound. The prongs 65 opposite the two bells 60 are angularly offset so that each bell is struck twice during one revolution of the axle. and the four strikes are properly timed for creating melody.

When the wagon is pulled rearwardly so that the wheels thereof and the axle therebetween are caused to rotate in a contraclockwise direction, the rear wheels 4 and the rear axle 3 will rotate the platform 17' in a clockwise direction so that the curved lever end 43 cannot engage the curved lever arm 36, because the leverarm 36 rotating with the platform 17 approaches the curved v lever end4c3 with the free end thereof which i.

65 are moved toward the curved end of the hammer handle 61 so that instead of riding on the prong 65 the hammer handle abuts against thejoining edge ofthe prongs 65 to the sleeve 63 and on account of the curvature of said end toward the pin 66, a lateral pressure is exerted on the sleeve in the direction of the pin 68 and bayonet slot 69. The cam prong 65 will be pushed out of alignment by the handle of the hammer 61 because the bayonet slot 67 is slid off from the pin 66 while the bayonet slot 69 is pushed into engagement with the pin 68 and is rotated thereby. It is apparent that the slots are so formed that when the axle rotates in a clockwise direction, the bayonet slot 67,-

tends to slide on the pin 66, while the slot- 69 tends to slide upon the pins 68 when the axle is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction.

It is to be noted then that when the wagon is moved rearwardly and the wheels thereof are rotated in a contra-clockwise direction, neither the bells 27 and 28 nor the bells 6O produce any sound whatever. A sound of a different pitch is produced by a gong 70 which is formed by a'spiral spring, the inside end of which is fixedly secured to a bridge 71 on the bottom of the wagon body 1. A hammer 72 is disposed above the gong 70. A handle 73 thereof is pivoted on a pivot 74 at an intermediate point thereof. The free end of the handle 73 is curved in the direction of the bayonet slot 69 and is caused to ride on the outside periphery of thesleeve 68 by a torsion-spring 75,'said spring being secured to the body 1. When the axle 2 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the bells are sounded by means of the cam prongs 65. A second set of cam prongs 77, comprises five prongs tangentially disposed on the sleeve 63 and protruding in an opposite direction to the cam prongs 65, so as to cooperate with the curved end of the lever 73. When theaxle is rotated in a contra-clockwise direction, and the sleeve 63 is slid so that the cam prongs are out of alignment with the curved end of the lever 7 3, and as the axle 2 is now rotating in a counter-clockwise direction, the curved end of the lever 73 will gradually rise from the sleeve 63 upon the cam 77 and at the end of each cam prong 77, the lever 73 will be released and returned into its'original position by the action of the torsion-spring 75, thereby causing the hammer 7 2 to strike the gong 70, thereby to cause a musical sound. As there are five prongs disposed on the sleeve 63, which are all in alignment with the curved end of the lever 73, the gong issounded five times during one contra-clockwise revolution of the axle 2.

Now, when the wagon is pulled forwardly, the curved end of the lever 7 3'cannot ride upon the prongs 77 because the latter are rotated with the open and free ends thereof against the lever 73. Therefore, the curved end will gradually engage an edge of the prongs 77 and exert a lateral pressure on the sleeve 63 thereby causing the bayonet slot 69 to be withdrawn from the pin 68 and also causing the bayonet slot 67 to engage the pin 66, thus the sleeve 63 is brought again into a position where the cam prongs 65 are in alignment with the curved ends of the hanpearance and interestingly arranged movement of toy figures such as the simulation of blacksmiths with striking hammers, and also means for producing a pleasant musical sound, when the toy is moved. The pitch of the bells 27, 28, and 60 can be so arranged and timed that when the wagon is pulled for wardly'and the bells are struck in rotation, they may repeatedly play a simple tune, while when the wagon is pulled rearwardly, the gong strikes five times for each revolution of the axle 2. The operation of the device is positive, and adjustment may be readily effected for changing the timing of the striking of the bells. It is evident that the cam prongs 77 and 65 may be so changed as to direction that the gong is sounded in combination with bells 27 and 28 when the wagon is pulled forwardly, while the bells 60 may be played when the wagon is pulled rearwardly by simply reversing the direction of the cam prongs 65. The number of strikes on the bells also may be increased by using a larger number of cam prongs 65 on the sleeve 63.

It will be noted that a particularly entertaining musical toy is provided in which the mechanism accomplishes the above described playing of a tune during back and forth traveling of the wagon The toy combines light weight with ruggedness of construction, positiveness of operation, and a pleasing musical sound.

Having thus described my invention, what I now claim as novel and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A mechanical toy comprising a wheeled body, a sound producing element mounted thereon, a platform rotatably supported on said body; a figure on said platform, a hammer pivotally secured to said figure; means on the platform to raise and lower said hammer wheel operated means for rotating said platform; and wheel operated means for actuating said raising means when said hammer is in a striking position relative to said element.

- 2. A mechanical toy comprising a wheeled body, a second producing element mounted thereon, a platform rotatably supported on said body; a figure on said platform; a hammer pivotally supported on said figure; a lever movably supported on the underside of said platform; links for connecting said' lever and said hammer; wheel operated means for rotating said platform; and wheel operated means for actuating said lever so as to cause said hammer to strike said element.

3. A mechanical toy comprising a wheeled body, a sound producing element mounted in the opposite direction.

formiso as to bebrought therebyin a coacting relation with said element, a hammer carried by said ob eot; wheel operated means for means for causing said hammer to strike said element during the movement of said wheeled body in one direction; a second-sound producing element on said body, almockermounted on saidbody in operative relation to said sec.- ond element; and wheeloperated means for causing saidknocker to strike said second elementduring the movement of said wheeled body in the opposite direction to the aforesaid movement. 1 v v i i 4:, A mechanical toy comprising a wheeled body, an axle rotatably mounted in 'said body, a sound producingelement mounted on said body; a knocker secured to said body in operative relation to said element; a second sound producing element mounted on said body,a second knocker secured to the body in operative relation to said second element; wheel operated means foractuating said first knocker duringthe movement of said body in one directionand for actuating said second knocker during the movement of said body 5. Amechanical toy comprising body, an axle'rotatably mounted in said body, a sound producing element mounted on said body, aknocker secured tosaid body in operative relation to said element, a second sound producing 1 element mounted on said body, a second knock er secured to the body a in operative relation to said second element; wheel operated means slidable on said axle for actuating said knocker, said means adapted to be slid by said second knocker into operative relation with said first knocker during the movement of said body in one direction and to be slid by said firstknocker into operative relation with said second knocker during the movement of said body in the op posite direction.

6. A mechanical toy comprising a wheeled body, an axle rotatably mounted in said body, a sound producing element mounted on said .body, a knocker secured to said body in operative relation to said element; a second sound producing element mounted on said body, a second knockersecured to the body in operative relation to said second element; a sleeve slidableon said axle and adapted to rotate therewith; a cam onsaid sleeve for actuating said first knocker during a clockwise movement of said axle and a second cam on said sleeve for actuating said second knocker during a counter-clockwise movement of said axle; said first cam being adapted to be engaged by said first knocker so as to slide said sleeve on said axle during said counterclockwise movement, brlngmg said second cam in operative relation to said second rotating said platform wheel operated a wheeled knocker and said second cam being adapted to be engaged by saidsecond knocker so as to slide said sleeve during the clockwise movement thereof, bringing said first camin 0perative relation to said first knocker.

7. A mechanicaltoy comprising a wheeled body,,a sound producing element mounted thereon, a platform rotatably supported on said body, an object carried by said platform so as to be brought thereby in a coacting relation with said element, ahammer carried by saidobject; wheel operated means for rotat ing said platform; means for causing said hammerto strike said element. said last means being operatedaby the wheels only during the movement of the wheeled body in one di= rection; anaxle rotatably mounted in said body, a second sound producing element mounted on said body, a knocker secured to said body in operative relation to said second element; a third sound producing element mounted onlsaid body, a second knocker se-;

cured to the body in operative relation to said third element; wheel operated meansfor actuatingsaid first knocker during themovement of said body in one direction, and for actuating said second knocker during the movement of said body in the opposite direction.

8. A mechanical toycomprising a wheeled body, a sound producing element mounted thereon, a platform rotatably supported on a said body, an object carried by said platform so as to be brought thereby in a coacting relation with said element, a hammer carried by said object; wheel operatedmeans for rotating said platform; and means for causing said hammer to strike said element, said last means beingoperated by the wheels only during the movement of the wheeled body inone direction an axle rotatably mounted in said body, a second sound producing element mounted on said body; a' knocker secured to, said body in operative relation to said second element; ,a third sound producing element mountedonsaid body, a second knocker se cured to the bod y in operative relationto said thirdele'ment; wheel operated means slidable on said axle for actuating said knocker, said means being adapted to beslid by said second knocker into operative relation with saidfirst knocker during the movement of said body in one directionyand to he slid by said first knocker into operativerelation with said sec- 0nd knocker, during the movement of said wheeled body, a sound producing element. mounted too means being operated by the wheels during the clockwise movement of said wheels; an axle rotatably mounted in said body, a second sound producing element mounted on said body,a knocker secured to said body in operative relation to said second element; a

third sound producing element mounted on said body, a second knocker secured to the body in operative relation to said third element; a sleeve slidable on said axle and adapted to rotate therewith; a cam on said sleeve for actuating said first knocker during a clockwise movement of said axle; and a second cam on said sleeve for actuating said second knocker during a counter-clockwise movement of said axle; said first cam being adapted to be engaged by said first knocker so as to slide said sleeve on said axle during said counter-clockwise movement, bringing said second cam in operative relation to said second knocker, and said second cam being adapted to be engaged by said second knocker so as to slide said sleeve during the clockwise movement thereof, bringing said first cam in operative relation to said first knocker.

10. A mechanical toy comprising a wheeled body, a sound producing element mounted thereon, a platform rotatably supported on said body; a figure on said platform; a hammer pivotally supported on said figure; a lever movably supported on the underside of said platform; links for connecting said lever and said hammer; wheel operated means for rotating said platform; wheel operated means for actuating said lever so as'to cause said hammer to strike said element during a clockwise rotation of said wheel; an axle rotatably mounted in said body, a second sound producing element mounted on said i body, a knocker secured to said body in operative relation to said element; a third sound producing element mounted on said body, a second knocker secured to the body in operative relation to said element; a sleeve slidable onsaid axle and adapted .to rotate therewith; a cam on said sleeve for actuating said first knocker during a clockwise rotation of said axle; and a second cam on said sleeve for actuating said second knocker during a counter-clockwise rotation of said axle said first cam being adapted to be engaged by said first knocker so as to slide said sleeve on said with said element, wheel operated means for rotating said platform, means on the platform to actuate said knocker, and wheel 0perated means for engaging said actuating means when the knocker is in striking position relative to said element.

12. A mechanical toy comprising a wheeled body, a sound producing element mounted thereon, a platform rotatably supported on said body, a knocker carried by said platform so as to be brought in coacting engagement with said element, wheel operated means for rotating said platform, means on the platform to actuate said knocker, and wheel operated means for engaging said actuating means when the knocker is in striking position relative to said element, said last named means being adapted to engage said actuating means only when the wheeled body is moved in a forward direction.

13. A mechanical toy comprising a wheeled body, a sound producing element mounted thereon, a platform rotatably supported on said body, two oppositely disposed knockers carried on said platform so as to be brought into coacting engagement with said element, means on said platform for alternately actuating each of said knockers to strike said element, and wheel operated means for engaging said actuating means when said knockers are in a striking position relative to said element.

14. A mechanical toy comprising a wheeled body having a plurality of sound producing elements mounted thereon, knockers mounted on said body in operative relation to said sound producing elements, wheel operated means for actuating said knockers to strike said sound producing elements, and wherein said wheel operated means actuates certain of said knockers to strike when the body is moved in one direction and the other of said knockers to strike when the body is movedin the opposite direction.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

EMILIO PRUNETTI. 

